10.31.2011

It’s getting closer and closer. I’m just 6 months from the big 3-0, and I feel like I’m falling way behind on my list already! I didn’t even update last month, because I felt like I hadn’t accomplished anything. So it’s time to hold myself accountable, and get my butt in gear.

7. Get back into sewing (or another hobby I’ve given up on): I’ve been bitten by the crafting bug. I blame Pinterest. Not only have I sewed a little lately, but I’ve been knitting like it’s my job. Not that I have anything to show for it yet, because I end up pulling it all back out and starting over, but soon. Very soon, I’ll at least have a new scarf to wear this winter!

10. Send out Christmas cards: I had the grand idea to make my own Christmas cards this year. If I spent time and money on making my own cards, I just had to send them out, right? Well, after realizing just how much I’d have to invest in yet another new crafty venture, I decided to just stick with the premade ones I already have. So we’ll see if it happens. Someone remind me. Constantly.

14. Read 3 non-fiction books: I’m up to 2 now. I finally plowed my way through the book I wasn’t enjoying, and promptly went right back to reading a bunch of mindless fiction. I have a couple non-fiction books I want to read, so I think I’ll be able to handle one more in 6 months!

17. Read 8 books I already own: Check 3 more off that list. The great thing about working for a bookstore is that publishers send all kinds of free copies for us to read to be able to recommend. Most of them are things that would never interest me in the first place, but I’ve taken home a few that I’ve actually enjoyed.

* The Night Circus by Erin Morganstern-- filled with absolutely beautiful imagery, but I think I’ve been spoiled by young adult fiction, because I kept waiting for something huge and spectacular to happen, and it never really did. Nevertheless, I liked it.
* Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close--Chick Lit is something I normally shy away from, but I liked this one. Centered around a group of friends trying to navigate their way through young-adulthood, it’s completely relatable. I found myself laughing at parts and thinking, “I’ve definitely got to pass this one on to my friends to read when I’m done.”
* Glow (Sky Chasers) by Amy Kathleen Ryan—Yes, it’s teen. And yes it’s sci/fi. But it’s not the typical type of teen fantasy that fills the shelves now. No vampires. No paranormal stuff. And it’s not mindless fluff either. It’s totally a make you think, big issues type book. The general idea of it didn’t thrill me at first. Set in space? No thanks. But once I got into the actual story, I was hooked. Bound for New Earth, Kieran and Waverly are the oldest of all the children aboard one of 2 ships—those that will be the future of New Earth. When the 2nd ship in the mission suddenly attacks Kieran and Waverly’s ship, they only want 1 thing. The children. More specifically, the girls. I won’t go into too much more because I don’t want to give anything away, but Glow brings forth a lot of big issues and really makes you think, which is a bit of rarity in the YA genre.

18. Bake 5 things I’ve never tried to bake before: 1 more down. Recipe still to come, but I made Apple Crisp last week for Boyfriend with my haul of handpicked apples. I know, I know. A crisp? Easiest thing in the world! But I’d never made one before, so it totally counts.

23. Cook 3 kinds of foods I’ve never tried making before: 2 down now. I made steak before and this time, BBQ Chicken Pizza. I’ve made pizza before, so that wasn’t a big deal. But for the first time ever, I made my own BBQ sauce. And it was gooood. I’ll have to make it again so I can get some good pictures, but I’m definitely putting it up here for you guys soon. It was so good, Boyfriend still asks for it.

I think that’s it for now. I really need to work very hard on a lot more of them, so hopefully next update, I can have a few crossed off completely! Here’s to the last 6 months of my 20s.

Self Improvement:
1. Lose a dress size
2. Ride my bike 15 miles (without passing out or dying.)3. Get my hair cut finally. And actually style it every day
4. Get highlights
5. Pay off my credit cards (or at least significantly pay down)
6. Get back into couponing
7. Get back into sewing (or another hobby I’ve given up on)
8. Decorate my house and put pictures up on my walls
9. Finish an entire crossword puzzle from the Sunday newspaper on my own (without looking at the answers)
10. Send out Christmas cards
11. Visit a new city
12. Visit another state
13. Get a passport (even if I don’t get to use it right away)

Food:
18. Bake 5 things I’ve never tried to bake before (3/5)19. Enter a baking competition (and win!)
20. Bake a pie
21. Make another tiered, fondant covered cake (I will master you, fondant.)
22. Try 3 kinds of foods I’ve never tried before (2/3)
23. Cook 3 kinds of foods I’ve never tried making before (2/3)
24. Make pasta from scratch
25. Cook more, eat out less
26. Put together a cookbook of my favorite recipes (even if it’s just for me)

Blogging:
27. Get back into a blogging routine (I've been a slacker lately! Sorry.)
28. Be more interactive in blogging (Giveaways and other ideas I’ve had rattling around my brain)29. Give the blog a makeover?
30. Buy a fancy DSLR camera (and learn how to use it)

3
comments:

I bet if you add those on to your list you can cross it off right now. And with all the numbers in your list (do 2 of this or 5 of that) your list is WAAAAAAY more than 30 things. So this was a magnificent challenge you set yourself.

You're doing great and I love to hear about your progress. Don't beat yourself up about the blogging. It should be something you do to enjoy and don't feel guilty about it.

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The Busty Baker is a newly 30-something retail slave who spends most of her downtime covered in flour in her tiny apartment kitchen, compulsively checking Twitter, and talking to her cat. Someday she'll figure out what she wants to do with her life, but until then, she'll continue to pawn her baked goods off on anyone who will take them.